NOTES ON NATIVE LAND COURT, ALEXANDRA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2287, 8 March 1887, Page 2

NOTES ON NATIVE LAND COURT, ALEXANDRA.

« [FROM OUK OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Alexandra, March 7. The Native Land Court is now sitting here to the joyful disappointment of our business people, as times have not been very prosperous here lately. However, as yet there is no perceptible improvement in the way of business. A Native Land Court of the present day is a. very different thing to one of the past such as Cambridge enjoyed in the old days. No there is nothing to tempt the land sharks and their agents to almost force their money on an unsophisticated native, with a good laud claim. The Native Land Act has knocked that game on the head. Again, the Maori himself is wiser, and quite capable of taking care of himself now. Experientia docet, he knows all about it. Drink is no longer a temptation to them. There would be far more drinking going on amongst a similar number of the average whites. Our hotels have but little bepefitted as yet, at least by the court being held here. The Blue Ribbon movement has absorbed the great majority of the chiefs, and those of the inferior class of natives have no money. _ • On Saturday the court did not sit, yet there was scarcely a native to be seen in the township. They were all quietly located at Tawhiao's settlement, Whatiwhatihoe. It was amusing in the court to hear the arguments of those who wished the court to adjourn to Kawhia ; they were so disinterested (?) to those not behind the scene. The principal of them have gone in on spec and provided billiard table, etc., etc. As to their great argument, no liquor to be obtained there, every one knows it can be obtained anywhere, only you have to pay more for it, and get a very inferior article. It will, I think, be again fairly proved here, that it is possible for the officials of the Land Court to be able to obtain decent accommodation after their arduous duties at an hotel, and yet have a quiet and orderly court while sitting on the various and valuable claims they have to adjudicate upon. The Court will begin to-day on the Aotes block, for which theie are many claimants.